The Blues are short on options up front this season, with just Arouna Kone as direct back-up to Romelu Lukaku.

That has led to Ronald Koeman experiment in pre-season by using winger Gerard Deulofeu as a striker.

It has been successful too, with the Spaniard putting in a series of impressive performances in the role and finishing as their top goalscorer this summer.

Gerard Deulofeu scores the second goal for Everton

With Lukaku a doubt for the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend after picking up a slight injury in the clash with Espanyol, Koeman has hinted Deulofeu may stay as a striker in future.

“Geri can play in that position and we also have Arouna Kone who played there in pre-season as well,” he told the club’s official website.

“If we’re looking at Gerard, he is very fast, he is direct and he can score goals. He score more goals than anyone in pre-season and that’s a quality you need if you’re going to play in that position.”

Everton's Romelu Lukaku

It remains to be seen if Everton do utilise Deulofeu as a striker across this season after he has impressed in pre-season.

It would certainly be a wise move, with Lukaku often cutting an isolated and frustrated figure when playing as the lone striker last term.

Sean Lunt

Sean Lunt is a Journalism and Spanish graduate with a passion for football. As an avid Everton fan he has survived the Walter Smith era, enjoyed the resurgence under David Moyes and is now wholly embracing the Spanish revolution with Roberto Martinez. Away from Everton he follows the rest of the football league and has a particular interest in La Liga.